Gokapi vs PsiTransfer
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted file sync & storage options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
PsiTransfer
Simple open-source file sharing solution
| Feature | Gokapi | PsiTransfer |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 84 · Excellent | 76 · Good |
| Category | File Sync & Storage | File Sync & Storage |
| License | AGPL-3.0 | MIT |
| Language | Go | JavaScript |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 64 MB | 128 MB |
| Deployment | docker, binary | docker, binary |
| GitHub stars | ★ 2,881 | ★ 1,951 |
| First released | 2021 | 2017 |
| Replaces | WeTransfer, Firefox Send | WeTransfer |
What are Gokapi and PsiTransfer?
Gokapi
Gokapi is a minimalist file sharing server inspired by Firefox Send. It lets you upload files and generate download links that can expire after a set time or number of downloads.
- Expiring download links
- End-to-end encryption option
- AWS S3 storage support
PsiTransfer
PsiTransfer is a self-hosted file sharing application with a drag-and-drop web interface. It supports resumable uploads, file expiration, and password protection.
- Resumable uploads
- Password-protected buckets
- Drag-and-drop interface
Gokapi vs PsiTransfer: key differences
Gokapi is written in Go, while PsiTransfer is built with JavaScript. Licensing differs — AGPL-3.0 for Gokapi versus MIT for PsiTransfer. Gokapi is the lighter option, starting around 64 MB of RAM against 128 MB for PsiTransfer. PsiTransfer is the more established project (first released 2017), while Gokapi arrived in 2021.
Why pick each one
Choose Gokapi if…
- Released under the AGPL-3.0 license
- Easy to set up — beginner-friendly
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Active community (2.9k GitHub stars)
Choose PsiTransfer if…
- Released under the MIT license
- Easy to set up — beginner-friendly
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Active community (2k GitHub stars)
Frequently asked questions
Is Gokapi or PsiTransfer better?
Neither is universally better. Gokapi has the larger community; both share a easy setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are Gokapi and PsiTransfer free and open-source?
Yes. Gokapi is licensed under AGPL-3.0 and PsiTransfer under MIT. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Gokapi and PsiTransfer with Docker?
Gokapi: yes. PsiTransfer: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, Gokapi or PsiTransfer?
Gokapi has the smaller minimum footprint at 64 MB of RAM, compared to about 128 MB for PsiTransfer. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.